subject: Advice On Buying A Diamond Engagement Ring [print this page] It is a long standing tradition to give your fiancee an engagement ring after she has accepted your marriage proposal. It is an opportunity to show how much she is worth to you, and to let the world know of your upcoming marriage.
Fortunately, these days, the price of diamonds is relatively low compared to yesteryear, and can be afforded by pretty much anyone. Remember that cost is not the only consideration though. The cost of the diamond engagement ring will not be what is most important to your fiancee. What is most important about a diamond engagement ring is how good it looks on her finger and how well it matches her personality.
Not liking jewelry yourself is no excuse for not getting your fiancee the perfect engagement ring. Think of it as giving her a token of your love, rather than just giving her a piece of jewelry. If you put in the time and effort to save up for and find the engagement ring of her dreams, she will love you even more. She will know how much time and thought you have invested, so do not think that you can fool her.
An engagement ring is a personal gift, but your fiance will also want others to notice it. She wants to be envied, but she also wants it to reflect her and who she is. It is not difficult for you to find a suitable diamond engagement ring, so long as you know what to look out for...
Cut : Refers to the proportions, finish, symmetry, and polish of diamond engagement rings. A well cut diamond will sparkle more. With the advent of technology, the quality of the cut of a diamond can be determined through the use of a computerized system in seconds.
Clarity : Describes the clearness or purity of diamond engagement rings. This is determined by the number, size, nature, and location of the internal (inclusions) and external (blemishes) imperfections. The most expensive diamonds are rated 'F' and the cheapest ones are rated 'I3'. There are several ratings in between.
Carat : This term refers to the weight of a diamond - one carat is equal to 0.2 grams. As larger diamonds are not as common, the more carats a diamond is, the more it is worth.
Color : Diamonds are commonly thought to all be colorless, but they actually come in a wide range of colors. Most store bought diamond engagement rings will look ever so slightly yellow when when up to the light. A slight yellow tint is fine, as totally colorless are extremely expensive.
